资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Shrike \Shrike\, n. [Akin to Icel. skr[=i]kja a shrieker, the
shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scr[=i]c a thrush. See
{Shriek}, v. i.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family
{Laniid[ae]}, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the
tip. Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European
gray shrike ({Lanius excubitor}), the great northern shrike
({L. borealis}), and several others, kill mice, small birds,
etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on that
account called also {butcher birds}. See under {Butcher}.
Note: The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds
of the family {Formicarid[ae]}. The cuckoo shrikes of
the East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family
{Campephagid[ae]}. The drongo shrikes of the same
regions belong to the related family {Dicrurid[ae]}.
See {Drongo}.
{Crow shrike}. See under {Crow}.
{Shrike thrush}.
(a) Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of
the genera {Thamnocataphus}, {Gampsorhynchus}, and
allies.
(b) Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian
singing birds of the genus {Colluricincla}.
{Shrike tit}.
(a) Any one of several Australian birds of the genus
{Falcunculus}, having a strong toothed bill and sharp
claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice,
in search of insects.
(b) Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds
belonging to {Allotrius}, {Pteruthius}, {Cutia},
{Leioptila}, and allied genera, related to the true tits.
Called also {hill tit}.
{Swallow shrike}. See under {Swallow}.
Swallow \Swal"low\, n. [OE. swalowe, AS. swalewe, swealwe; akin
to D. zwaluw, OHG. swalawa, G. schwalbe, Icel. & Sw. svala,
Dan. svale.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of passerine birds
of the family {Hirundinid[ae]}, especially one of those
species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have
long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and
gracefulness of their flight.
Note: The most common North American species are the barn
swallow (see under {Barn}), the cliff, or eaves,
swallow (see under {Cliff}), the white-bellied, or
tree, swallow ({Tachycineta bicolor}), and the bank
swallow (see under {Bank}). The common European swallow
({Chelidon rustica}), and the window swallow, or martin
({Chelidon urbica}), are familiar species.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of swifts which
resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the
common American chimney swallow, or swift.
3. (Naut.) The aperture in a block through which the rope
reeves. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
{Swallow plover} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
fork-tailed ploverlike birds of the genus {Glareola}, as
{G. orientalis} of India; a pratincole.
{Swallow shrike} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
East Indian and Asiatic birds of the family
{Artamiid[ae]}, allied to the shrikes but similar to
swallows in appearance and habits. The ashy swallow shrike
({Artamus fuscus}) is common in India.
{Swallow warbler} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
East Indian and Australian singing birds of the genus
{Dic[ae]um}. They are allied to the honeysuckers.
资料来源 : WordNet®
swallow shrike
n : Australasian and Asiatic bird related to the shrikes and
resembling a swallow [syn: {wood swallow}]